. >>> leaders seem to be standing strong in the face of immense pressure at the united nations general assembly meeting in new york. they say they will make a bid for u.n. membership this week as planned. u.s. president barack obama is trying to convince them to put their request on hold. obama delivered a speech wednesday at the general assembly. he said there is no shortcut to resolving decades-long conflict in the middle east and argued the palestinians should first return to peace talks before applying for u.n. membership. obama then met separately with palestinian president mahmoud abbas and israeli prime minister benjamin nettia hue. before that meeting an adviser to the palestinian president said abbas won't back down. >> he has to give it a serious try. if we fail, we have to keep knocking at the door of that organization. >> abbas is expected to file membership request on friday. leaders of south american nainrastesre voicing their support. the issue has sparked vigorous debate at the u.n. and around the world. >>> obama also talked about the so-called arab spring in his speec